The "Congress 2008 Commission Act" is a bill sponsored by Representative
Alcee Hastings (D – FL), that would create a commission to analyze
both the size of Congress and the method by which representatives are elected.
The bill was originally introduced in the 105th Congress as HR 187 and has been re-introduced in the
109th Congress as HR 1989. See Rep. Hastings' 2001 letter to fellow members of the U.S. House, regarding the size of the body.

109th CONGRESS - 1ST SESSION

H.R. 1989

To establish a commission to make recommendations on the appropriate
size of membership of the House of Representatives and the method by
which Members are elected.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on ________

A BILL

To establish a commission to make recommendations on the appropriate
size of membership of the House of Representatives and the method by
which Members are elected.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the "Congress 2008 Commission Act."

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.

There is established a commission to be known as the ‘‘Congress
2008 Commission’’ (hereafter in this Act referred to as the
‘‘Commission’’).

SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.

The Commission shall—(1) analyze the current size of the membership of the House of
Representatives considering the requirement for the institution to
carry out its responsibilities in an effective manner under the
challenges of the new century;(2) examine alternatives to the current method by which Representatives
are elected (including cumulative voting and proportional
representation) to determine if such alternatives would make the House
of Representatives a more representative body;(3) provide consideration to the continuing dissolution of adherence to
the platforms and candidates of the Nation’s two major political
parties as well as to the reduction in electoral participation by the
citizenry;(4) consider whether alternative methods of electing House Members might include more citizens in the electoral process;(5) to the extent necessary, formulate proposals for changes in the
size of the membership of, and the method of electing Representatives
to, the House of Representatives; and(6) not later than the end of the One Hundred Ninth Congress, submit to
the President and the Congress a report of the work of the Commission,
together with a draft of legislation (including technical and
conforming provisions) to implement the proposals referred to in
paragraph (5).

SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.

(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission shall be composed of 17 members as follows: (1) 3 members appointed by the President. (2) 10 members appointed by the House of
Representatives, of whom 5 shall be appointed by the
Speaker and 5 shall be appointed by the Minority Leader. (3) 4 members appointed by the Senate, of whom 2
shall be appointed by the Majority Leader and 2 shall be appointed by the Minority Leader.

(b) QUALIFICATIONS.—In making appointments under this section, the
appointing authorities shall make a special effort to appoint
individuals who are particularly qualified to perform the functions of
the Commission, by reason of either practical experience or academic
expertise in politics or government.

(c) TERMS AND 1 VACANCIES.—Each member shall be appointed for the life
of the Commission. A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the
manner in which the original appointment was made.

(d) PAY AND TRAVEL.—Each member of the Commission, other than a full-time officer or employee of the United States— (1) shall be paid the daily equivalent of the annual
rate of basic pay payable for level V of the Executive
Schedule for each day (including travel time) during
which the member is engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the Commission; and (2) shall receive travel expenses, including per
diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable
provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title
5, United States Code.

(e) QUORUM.—9 members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.

(f) CHAIRMAN.—The Chairman of the Commission shall be elected by the members.

(g) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairman or a majority of its members.SEC. 5. STAFF.

(a) IN GENERAL.—With the approval of the Commission, the Chairman
may appoint and fix the pay of not more than six individuals for the
staff of the Commission. Such individuals may be appointed without
regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing
appointments in the competitive service, and may be paid without regard
to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of
that title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates,
except that an individual so appointed may not receive pay in excess of
the maximum annual rate of basic pay payable for grade GS–15 of the
General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code.

(b) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—With the approval of the Commission, the
Chairman may procure temporary and intermittent services in the manner
prescribed in section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at
rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the maximum
annual rate of basic pay payable for grade GS–15 of the General
Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code.

(c) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon request of the Commission, the head
of any Federal department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable
basis, any of the personnel of that department or agency to the
Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act.

SEC. 6. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

(a) HEARINGS.—The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out
this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take
testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate.

(b) MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any member or agent of the Commission may, if
authorized by the Commission, take any action which the Commission is
authorized to take by this section.

(c) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United States mails in the same
manner and under the same conditions as departments and agencies of the
United States.

(d) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon the request of the
Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the
Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support
services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities
under this Act.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $5,000,000, to remain available until expended.

SEC. 8. TERMINATION.The Commission shall cease to exist on the last day of the month in which its report is submitted under section 3.

In Detroit, there have been three mayors in the past two years and the current one has come under scrutiny. Perhaps a system like instant runoff voting will help bring political stability to motor city.